From Hot Springs to Cold Bays – the Napa Valley Vine Trail
Posted on 23. Feb, 2010 by admin in Uncategorized
Momentum is gaining for The Napa Valley Vine Trail, which will one-day be a long-overdue, contiguous, multi-use path from Calistoga to the Ferry Terminal building in Vallejo.
Imagine this reality – one day soon, you will be able to ride your bike from the hot springs of Calistoga, 44 miles south through the vineyards of Napa, then hop on a ferry to San Francisco or Marin – all without having to compete with automobiles and traffic.
Surprisingly, the path has not received much resistance from the decision-making governing bodies and agriculture groups. A joint statement from the founding members of the Vine Trail Coalition was issued May 7, 2009, indicating support for the trail plan: “The Napa Valley Grapegrowers, the Napa County Farm Bureau, the Napa Valley Vintners and the Winegrowers of Napa County support the voluntary development of a trail along the existing major transportation routes that does not require any modification of the Agricultural Preserve,” it reads.
At a recent NVVT Committee meeting, I learned of the following progress:
- NVVT has received its 501(c)(3) status as a non-profit organization
- As part of above, they have organized a board of directors, and are now able to accept volunteers and donations.
- A new website (napavalleyvinetrail.org) is under development and will launch Q1-2010.
- Yountville is breaking ground on the first part of designated NVVT around April 15th, 2010.
- The first phase, from Trancas in Napa to Calistoga, is 22 miles.
- Current budget for the project is at approximately $40M, of which the NVVT Coalition is responsible for raising 20% and is counting on goverment funds for the remaining 80%.
- Committees are actively working on capital campaign, permits, and all other aspects of making this trail a reality.
To volunteer, get additional information, or provide comments contact NVVT: info@napavalleyvinetrail.org
Mushroom Hunting at Las Posadas in Angwin
Posted on 27. Jan, 2010 by admin in Local Light
One of the many joys comes after the first rain in late Fall in Napa. Hikers, amateur mushroom foragers and mycologists head for the hills to discover some of Napa’s finest fungus. Some, like Matsutakes or Chanterelles, are edible and easily identifiable. Others are best left alone, as the majority of wild mushrooms are poisonous enough to kill you. Local markets, like Sunshine in St Helena will sometimes help you identify mushrooms you have picked. Restaurants, like Cook or Martini House in St Helena serve delicious seasonal dishes with local mushrooms.
On a recent hike in Las Posadas (Pacific Union Campus, Angwin), we photographed some of these beauties for our friends at YourNapaRealtor. No mushrooms were hurt, or eaten, in the process of shooting this gallery!
Directions:
Wet Winter in Napa Valley
Posted on 04. Jan, 2010 by admin in Uncategorized
The rain persists … water level of Napa River high, but not quite as bad as flooding we have seen in years past..
The good news is that the mustard has come early, and despite some cloudy days, it is lovely in the Napa Valley!
